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• Sigils of Blood and Shadow   8

  AURYN Home.The roads are cracked, the edges crumbling like they’d been forgotten by the world, but people still move through them, hurried, tired, some excited… mostly the kids.Buildings lean on each other for support, some patched up with scrap or metal plates. I have to admit, the human realm really is beautiful. I used to think my home was the most beautiful ever and rolled my eyes at the stories of the golden buildings in the human realm.But I still love it here.Not as beautiful as the human realm, or a place most would brag about, but it's home. A few years here and you get used to the gray skies hanging low, and the way the air smells faintly of rust and wet stone.We were unjustly banished here centuries ago, but that doesn't define our life here. People made do with it. The market is alive with the usual chatter, vendors calling out their wares and children weaving through the crowds laughing and the smell of freshly baked bread and smoked fish mixing with the damp hair.

• Sigils of Blood and Shadow   7

  KILLIANI don’t knock.I march straight through the iron-framed doors, my steps echoing against the marbled floors of the estate. A couple of staff members scramble to get out of the way, offering startled greetings I don’t return.The scent of roasted lamb and sugared wine hits me before the laughter does.Of course. A fucking Clan gathering the one I come home.Voices rise from the garden courtyard, familiar and distant all at once. I spot my grandmother first, white curls tucked into a golden scarf, a glass of something I don't want to know in her hand. She takes the strangest things.Her face lights up when she sees me.“Killian, darling!” she calls, smiling as if this isn’t the first time she’s seen me in years. “You came!” Giving the rest of the family a pointed look, she adds. “I told them you’d show.”One of my younger cousins waves excitedly, jumping to her feet. “Big bro!” She looks like she's thinking about hugging me, but it's a good thing she doesn't because it wouldn't e

• Sigils of Blood and Shadow   6

  I take an instinctive step backwards, my eyes on his sword. I should have expected he wouldn’t just wait outside especially with how suspicious he is of me. I haven’t started my mission, yet my cover is blown. What sort of failure is this?But there’s no time to panic.It’s him or us, though I highly doubt we both can take him on. And if by some miracle we manage to kill him, our people will be wiped out. Fuck! What now?“I’m Zarek, Prince of the mystics,” Zarek introduces himself, a calm expression on his face like we aren’t seconds away from certain death. His voice is smooth and detached, like none of this concerns him.Killian slowly lowers his sword, his grip on it not loosening. Instead it tightens, much like the hardened expression on his face. “And what is the Prince of mystics doing here in the human realm? I doubt your visit here is official seeing as I know nothing about it.” And although he’s still talking to Zarek, he holds my gaze. “And what is your fiancée doing in my c

• Sigils of Blood and Shadow   5

  Jessica turns to me with a relieved smile. “Auryn,” She approaches me, her steps brisk. “I rushed over as soon as I heard about your attack.” She pulls me in for a hug. I force a smile as she steps back, her eyes scanning my body. Then, she snaps her head in Killian's direction. “You shouldn't have let her out of your sight!” She snaps. He rubs the back of his neck, a sheepish smile on his face. “I didn't expect it—” She cuts him off with a raised finger, before turning to me again. “You should stay here in the meantime. I'm sure you must be confused by all that has happened tonight, but I'll explain everything to you tomorrow. Alright?” Her eyes flicks to my shoulder. “Although the healer restored your shoulder and got rid of the marks, you still need to rest.” If kindness was a person, it'd be Jessica. But she's a Duskbane. For that reason, I can't trust her, nor Killian. And I absolutely can't stay with them. “I wouldn't want to interrupt you both. You've already helped me

• Sigils of Blood and Shadow   4

  I shut my eyes as the wolf opens his mouth, but the fangs don't come. Instead, I feel his weight lift off me as a howl of pain tears through the night. My eyes snap open and I jump to my feet immediately, sinking my teeth into my lips to numb the pain caused by my movement. “Took you long enough,” I hiss. I watch as he grabs the wolf—Liam—by the head and slams it into the ground. Before he can recover, the man slides down the alley, grinding Liam’s face against the pavement, then flings him backward, sending him crashing... right next to me. “What the fuck?!” Despite my words, I immediately drive the heel of my shoe into Liam's eye, channeling all my anger into my attack. I kick away quickly as his claws shoot toward me. The man is in front of Liam in an instant, a silver sword gleaming in his hand. “Pure wolf or not, this will do the trick.” A sword? Since when did he start using a sword? And… Why does his voice sound different? “Bastard. Don’t—” Liam’s words are cut off as the

• Sigils of Blood and Shadow   3

  “Be careful at night, Auryn. It's dangerous out here.” Mia's words ring in my ears, and I swallow, my body on high-alert, but I keep my pace steady, turning at the next corner I see. The moment I'm out of sight, I stop, press myself against the wall and wait. Seconds later, footsteps round the corner, and I strike, grabbing the stalker’s wrist and twisting it as I shove them against the wall. “It-It’s me.” The voice is familiar. I take a closer look and release my grip when I see it's Liam, but I don't drop my guard. He turns to face me, an embarrassed look on his face as he massages his arm. “You’re following me? What the hell?” He rubs his neck nervously. “I just… wanted to make sure you get home safe.” “Then you could have asked?” “You seem really strong. And since you refused Jessica's offer, I didn't think you'd see the need to have me accompany you,” He lowers his head. “I'm sorry.” He’s not wrong. If I get attacked, I'll probably be the one defending him. But most impor